Getting old SUCKS!!!!!!

I've been having problems with my right ear. Over a year ago, I had a very bad URI which caused fluid behind my right eardrum. Once I got benefits, I made an appointment with my primary physician who confirmed the fluid and prescribed Flonase for me. It got rid of the fluid but I still have a VERY difficult time hearing out of my ear. So I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist. He said the fluid is gone, my eardrum looks fine and sent me for a hearing test. It seems as though my left ear also has "issues". So, he put me on a dose pack of steroids (I'm just waiting for my voice to get lower and the 5 o'clock shadow to appear). Once I'm done with the Prednisone, I have to go back to have my hearing re-tested.

The doctor told me there ARE options, depending upon the outcome of the Prednisone. If it doesn't work, there is a hearing aid :eek: :eek: (I'm only 53 years old for God's sake!) or surgery. I'm praying with all my might that the steroids will solve the problem. I'm really scared.

Can you guys find it in your hearts to give me some PT prayers?? I know how powerful they are and need just about all the help I can get right now.

Thanks.

I hope the pills work for you. Even if they don't being partly deaf is not the end of the world, I've been a little deaf since I was 14 and it has not improved with age but it's something that you just learn to live with. The most annoying part of it is when other people shout and wonder why you can't understand them! :)

I'll be praying for you, Donna. I know how inconvenient hearing loss is and it sucks for anyone who has to experience it. I've had more "old people" problems than most older people have, even though I'm only 18, but let me tell you, mild hearing loss is not the end of the world. It's something you will have to get used to and cater too, but it's easily dealt with. I hope the steroids have worked for you - and I'm glad you even had that option; some of us were not that fortunate.

Let us know how the next doctor's appointment goes. Fingers crossed for you!

Oh, Donna honey, You're in my thoughts and prayers every day. I know exactly what you are going through! I think between us we have enough good parts to make one good person. I'm praying that the doctors can find out what is happening with your ear and that they can correct it. Donna, I wish I can be there in person to give you lots of {{{{HUGS}}}}! BTW, a 5 o'clock shadow isn't all it's cracked up to be!

I know it's not the end of the world, and I feel awful complaining about it since there are SOOOOO many more people that have worse problems than I do. I don't mean to have a pity party over it either. I'm just praying these meds work. A doctor here said it'll take 24-48 hours before I see any kind of a change IF there is a change. I just took my first dose so we'll have to wait and see.

Davidp's right. Between the two of us, we make one healthy person. :p

Be careful, Donna - Prednisone makes me REALLY hungry, just wanted you to be warned. Makes me think I could eat the entire supermarket worth of food. If you know about it ahead of time, you can think rationally and not cook twice as much food as you could possible consume, but if you didn't know, could get silly.

It has the opposite effect on Lady's Human. It takes his appetite away entirely, and he has to be reminded to eat and drink so he doesn't get woozy!

Hey, I've only got one functional ear, and I (usually) do okay!

And, Donna? When I saw the title of your thread, "Getting old sucks" - I thought "Sure beats the alternative!!!!!" (Dying young).

Wow! Fingers and paws crossed for you here from another "oldie". I think the worst part is every day, something else hurts, one ache goes away and is replaced buy another.

I have a lot of problems with my ears due to sinus and allergies. One of the last time I flew on a plane it was in the middle of a bad allergy attack and one of my ears got completely plugged and I was totally deaf in it when we landed and about half deaf in the other. They crackled and popped once we landed and I was on the way to get my luggage and for a month afterwards, whenever I bent over, I'd hear a "whoosh"... I finally ended up having to go to the doctor and got the pred treatment too. Cleared mine right up, lets hope it does the same for you.

Laura's Babies,

I am SO hoping that the Pred will do the trick.

Karen,

You're absolutely right, I'd rather be an old deaf person than a dead one.

Hey you ain't getting no pity party from me girl, but seriously Donna of course you will feel despair at this, who in their right mind wouldn't, I really hope that they can solve your problem, it must be terribly fustrating for you for sure,hey no need to trivalise your problem,just because it is not as bad as maybe someone else's, it is happening to you and honestly i would not enjoy the prospect of hearing aid either at your age, so fingers and paws crossed and positive vibes from Aotearoa coming your way, cheer up sweetie,hopefully all will be well.

Hope that the Pred works for you quickly. And that the other side effect of big, hairy knuckles that drag on the floor do not affect you!!! :D

hope the meds work.praying they will.